How will the light rail vehicle bells and horns sound?
• Bells and horns are regularly used as warning devices on light rail vehicles. Of these two devices, bells are quieter. Horns in the vicinity of Lowertown in downtown St. Paul would be sounded only in an emergency or other extraordinary situation, such as when maintenance personnel are conducting track work. It is standard operating procedure for light rail vehicles to sound their bells as they enter and depart a station platform to warn waiting passengers that a train is approaching. Bells are also sounded at all locations where a roadway or bicycle/pedestrian path crosses the tracks regardless of whether the intersection is signalized. This practice is in place on the Hiawatha light rail line. Where complaints have arisen, negotiations have led to the modification of standard operating procedures to the satisfaction of both the residents and Metro Transit operations staff.
